Ode to my Braces

Some photos to remind me of what I once had. I didn't have any throwback photos on hand and I feel so lazy digging up my photo pile on Facebook. In any case...

SOLSTICE: Behavioral Science Ball 2012

In an org meeting with Kiko and the rest of the UST Yoga Club Executive Board

New Year 2013, Leyte

It was the summer after high school graduation. They told me I would be getting braces. I was totally psyched and thrilled because I've always wanted to have braces. I had a lower malocclusion that needed fixing.

It felt like only yesterday when I walked into Room 111. A classroom filled with young hopefuls, eager and clueless. I talked funny during our first few days because I had to wear this appliance thingy. But these braces have been with me since day 1.

After four years of orthodontic treatment, I'm finally letting go. Well, almost. Just the braces at least.

Why so melodramatic about teeth? The fact of the matter is, these were some of the most important years of my life. My hair changed, my attitude, almost everything. The one thing that didn't was the fact that I had them on during all my years in college.

Having anything for that long sort of defines you, doesn't it?

Yo, Year Two Thousand Thirteen!

A New Year celebration of family, food and fireworks. It's been quite a while; a few years since.

Hello, siblings!

We're.. almost complete. But yeah, a big improvement compared to previous New Year celebrations wherein we have left overs for counting down the end of another year.

Spent January 1 at this Mountain Resort wherein the pool was drained for cleaning, the zip line was closed, the diving spot was off limits. Fun day of photos, nonetheless :)

The bridge going to the diving spot.

With Ate Yanyan. We love this yoga pigeon pose.

Prepping for...

The lotus position! Namaste.

Happy grass.

New Year feast :)

Photos were taken mostly by my cousin, April, with her Canon DSLR. :)

Now, the thing about New Year's resolutions. I'm not a firm believer in NYR's mainly because I have never fully committed to actually accomplishing them, I don't know. But honestly, personal resolutions, goals and whatnot don't necessarily and shouldn't have to be limited to being formed and resolved at the beginning of each year. Every morning that you wake up and every second that you live is an opportunity for positive change. People need only will it, and believe in themselves. We have the power to design our lives and that in itself is a scary but beautiful thing.

I want to be more focused on working on my health, be more active and fit. I want to tone my arms and my legs and have nice washboard abs. I want to watch more movies, read more books and listen to music; all of which are different, life-altering and beautiful. I want to be less frustrated in front of the camera because I don't have a great smile. I want to travel but at the same time accomplish worthwhile things. I want to learn how to scuba dive and surf.

I want a lot of things. We all do. I've done step one: Realize you want certain things and put it in writing. Next step would be to work my ass off in accomplishing these goals.

Enough for sad sack emotional ramblings. It's the third day of the first month of the 13th year of the 21st millennium. I should be celebrating! Or at this ungodly hour, sleeping.

Good night. :)

Sawasdeka, Bangkok! (Sept 2012)

September 28-October 1, 2012. Bangkok, Thailand.

I had to cut four classes for this trip but it was totally worth it! First time in Bangkok! Upon arriving at the airport in Thailand (I keep forgetting what it's name is), the passport control area was jam packed. The lines were moving at such a glacial pace that it would be 10 or 15 minutes before we took a few steps forward. My brother and I joked that this was because of the movie, Hangover Part 2.

First photo in Thailand! Taking the walkalators down to the sky train.

The Right to be Heard

Like any ordinary and humble netizen and citizen of the Philippines, I have but a few thoughts and opinions on the latest issue that has plagued our country. Plagued. Am I still allowed to use that word?

Image taken from Digital Martial Law Article on GMA News Online and SPOT.ph

Everyone has been quoting Article I of the Bill of Rights which basically states that every Filipino regardless of who they are, what they do and where they come from, has a right to Life, Liberty and Property. They CANNOT be deprived of these rights unless there is due process of law.

There have also been posts about the right to freedom of expression in whatever form, manner or medium. I am not a student of law, nor do I practice it. I cannot admit to fully comprehending the laws of our country but I, like all other citizens of our country, have access to the information on the latest schemes and sad excuses for bills that our government shits out.

There is a new act that steps on the rights of Filipinos.

I do not intend to expound on its legality, pros and cons. It is enough to know that this particular act does not respect and uphold the Filipinos' rights. I'd like to know, what do they want to get out of this? I am all for eradicating cyber bullying, cyber sex and all other online acts that are detrimental to the general welfare of society. But to hinder and block us from expressing what we want, however harmless they may be, and to stop us from publishing posts? That's borderline idiotic and quite frankly, atrocious.

I do not want to bash any more on this joke of a law. You get enough of that on the internet. No. I would like to contemplate on the ideals of the common Filipino which they have been deliberately trampled to dust. On the historical events of our nation's great legacy that have become absolutely meaningless to so many today, including persons in the government. On the future of our country that I imagine what with the bonehead "public servants" that "serve" us.

We celebrate Rizal Day, Bonifacio Day, Independence Day, Edsa Revolution Day, and other events that commemorate the victory and triumph of the Filipinos throughout history. We celebrate our great heroes to remember what they did and who they are. Along with this remembrance, we can only hope to embody their ideals and become who they are--heroes, brave men who fought for freedom, ideal Filipinos. Nowadays, celebrating these great events and heroic men of Filipino history merely means regular holidays and no class days. What the hell happened?

The people standing up to the Cybercrime Prevention Act reminds me so much of Rizal standing up to abusive people of power of the Spanish colonial period with Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo; of Ninoy and Cory Aquino's fight for democracy; of the Katipuneros' actions for freedom. All of these boil down to the fact that the people in government no longer care. Although the actions of our great heroes and those who have voiced out their opinions on our right to freedom of expression are not of equal magnitude, they are basically the same. Fight for freedom, fight for justice, fight for our rights.

In my travels in other countries, I can only hope and dream that one day, we will be able to reach an equal level with our brothers in foreign seas. Educated citizens, less pollution, a responsible government, an active work force. All these seem like pipe dreams that are but lingering in the recesses of the minds of dreamers of a better Philippines.

The rash actions and fogged mentality of our government have brought nothing but shame to our country and constant suffering for our countrymen. They concentrate on those that don't actually need their immediate actions. They do not seem take their work seriously. They lack empathy and compassion for the people who have been robbed of their dignity, rights and protection.

Expressing oneself encourages intellectual stimulation. It invites individuals to become better thinkers, speakers, writers, especially with a wide avenue for sharing ideas. (Ideas -- one of my favorite words.) But if the government attempts to shut us out and dampen opportunities to expound on the issues of our country, then the few free thinkers will not be able to reach out to people who have lent their ears to ideas that are about Filipino ideals. What are still staying in school for if we cannot become original thinkers and creators?

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; so many issues and conundrums can stem from it. So many more branches of the same tree stretching outward only to bear no fruit and vegetation. The many social, economic and cultural issues that have befallen on our country bring me to tears. What happened? We have become the laughing stock of the whole world. We have lost the Filipino identity. We have forgotten what it means to be a Filipino.

I know this will not reach out to a lot of people or less likely, the government. But I don't care. I am but a small voice struggling to be heard in a country that is being attempted to be silenced.

Respect our rights. Or shun yourself from the position you were entrusted to commit to by the people who put you there.

A few weeks ago

It's been about a few weeks since the UST Behavioral Science Society general assembly but I just felt like sharing this. I wore a black dress with a tulle skirt and a yellow cardigan; all with a gold necklace, watch, and a bracelet. It was really hot then so I borrowed Kiko's polo shirt and replaced it with my sister's thick yellow cardigan. This is what went down:

I don't know, but it actually looks pretty good. Haha. It looks like a lab coat but I think it just has to be paired with the right stuff. Mine could use a little more improvement but overall I think it's okay. I'm not trying to start a trend or anything because that's not my thing and me, trending? Really? I don't think so. Anyway, enough about that because I have something else to talk about that happened several weeks back: The 33rd Manila International Book Fair!

I forgot when I went there but it was a week-long event from September 12 to 16 and held at the Mall of Asia Complex. I was pretty big with a lot of stalls from different publication houses, titles, stores, etc. It's every book worms haven. I wish I had more money though because I really wanted to buy a lot of books and reading materials. Just the sight of all the books made me drool.

I bought this shirt at the Ayala Museum Library stall. It's a "Sketches by Jose Rizal" shirt. I would absolutely LOVE to go to an exhibit at the Ayala Museum some time.

Because Tahanan Books were a part of my childhood and Lola Basyang's stories have always fascinated me. I will always be a kid at heart and reading their books will always rekindle my youth. I mean, the side of me much younger than I physically am.

I can't help it! Their memo pads are so cool. And with their package containing 1 calendar pad, 1 to-do list pad, 2 little memo pads and a slightly bigger one, at P250, I just had to!

Every post is always late. Too bad for lack of time and stress. Oh well. September 2012 trip to Bangkok, Thailand POST in a few days...